Bruno Fernandes has hit back at former Roy Keane after the Manchester United legend accused him of focusing too heavily on personal milestones during the Premier League season.
The disagreement started after Keane criticised Fernandes for comments linked to his pursuit of the Premier League assist record. The former United captain claimed Fernandes appeared more interested in registering assists than helping the team win matches, describing the situation as a “circus act.”
Fernandes strongly rejected those claims and said his words had been twisted. Speaking publicly about the situation, the Manchester United captain said he accepts criticism from former players but believes Keane crossed the line by presenting comments that were never actually made.
The Portugal international explained that his original point was about making the best decision for the team during matches, whether that meant shooting or creating chances for team-mates. Fernandes insisted he has never prioritised individual statistics above Manchester United’s results.
According to reports, Fernandes was so frustrated by the remarks that he even tried to contact Keane directly through former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to discuss the matter privately.
Despite the disagreement, Fernandes said he still respects Keane’s achievements and status at Old Trafford. However, he stressed that criticism should remain fair and truthful.
The exchange has added another chapter to the growing tension between current Manchester United players and several former club legends working as television pundits. Keane has frequently questioned Fernandes’ leadership style in recent years, often criticising his body language and behaviour on the pitch.
The debate comes during one of Fernandes’ best individual seasons for United. The midfielder recently broke the Premier League single-season assist record with 21 assists while helping the club secure a Champions League return.